MSD Pro-Billet Ready-to-Run

Chrysler V8 Distributor
PN 8388; 318, 340, 360, PN 8386; 383, 400
PN 8387; 426, 440
Important: Read these instructions before attempting the installation.
Parts Included:
1 - Pro-Billet Distributor
1 - Rotor, PN 8467
1 - Distributor Cap
1 - Advance Kit
1 - O-ring Seal
1 - Gray Tach Jumper
1 - Parts Bag
Replacement Cap:
Distributor PN 8386, PN 8387 - PN 8431
Distributor PN 8388 - PN 8437 or PN 8433
Note: The PN 8386 and PN 8387 distributors feature HEI style plug wire terminals. You may need to
change the terminals and boots of your wires. MSD offers a kit, PN 8848, that comes with nine
HEI style boots and terminals.
TIMING FUNCTIONS

Before continuing with the installation, here are a few denitions you should be aware of:

Initial Timing: This is the base timing (also referred to as idle timing) of the engine before the
centrifugal advance begins.
Centrifugal Advance: The centrifugal (or mechanical) advance mechanism is made up of weights,
springs, advance cams, and an advance stop bushing. The amount and rate of advance that your
distributor is capable of is determined by the centrifugal timing. If you ever wish to lock out the
centrifugal advance, refer to the centrifugal advance section.

Total Timing: This is the total of the initial timing plus the centrifugal advance added together.
Example: 10 Initial + 25 centrifugal = 35 Total Timing (When checking Total timing, disconnect
anc cap the vacuum canister and plug the vacuum line).
Vacuum Advance: The vacuum advance will advance the timing up to 10 during partial throttle driving (with
15 lbs. of vacuum). The vacuum line should be routed to a ported vacuum outlet above the throttle plates.
RPM LIMIT AND TACHOMETER INFORMATION
Tach Signal: The Ready-to-Run Distributor features a Gray Tach Output wire which provides a clean signal
for most tachometers and even some aftermarket fuel injection systems. The signal output
is a 12 volt square wave, 20 duty cycle. This wire is also responsible for programming the
built-in rev limiter.
Rev Limiter: The Ready-to-Run Distributor has a built-in rev limit that can easily be adjusted from 2,000
rpm to over 10,000 rpm. The default is 10,000 rpm. To set the rev limiter, run the engine to
half the desired rpm then ground the Gray tach wire (a jumper is supplied) for approximately
one second. See page 7 for the programming procedure.
MS D WWW. MS D P E R F O R MA NC E . C O M ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
ONLINE PRODUCT REGISTRATION: Register your MSD product online. Registering your product
will help if there is ever a warranty issue with your product and helps the MSD R&D team create
new products that you ask for! Go to www.msdperformance.com/registration.
2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
MS D WWW. MS D P E R F O R MA NC E . C O M ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
CHOOSING AN ADVANCE CURVE
The function of the advance curve is to match the ignition timing to the burning rate of the fuel and
speed (rpm) of the engine. Any factor that changes the burning rate of the fuel or the engine speed
can cause a need for an ignition timing change. Figure 1 shows some of the factors that will affect
engine timing.
FACTOR Advance Timing Retard Timing
For For
Cylinder Pressure Low High
Vacuum High Low
Energy of Ignition Low High
Fuel Octane High Low
Mixture (Air/Fuel) Rich Lean
Temperature Cool Hot
Combustion Chamber Shape Open Compact
Spark Plug Location Offset Center
Combustion Turbulence Low High
Load Light Heavy
Figure 1 Ignition Timing Factors.
As you can see from the chart, most factors will change throughout the range of the engine operation.
The timing mechanism of the distributor must make timing changes based on these factors.
Example: An engine has 11:1 compression with a high energy ignition. With the specications given,
you will have to retard the timing for the high compression and high energy ignition. By comparing
the engines specications against the chart, a usable timing guideline can be found. Engines with
a combination of items from both columns will require a timing that is set in the mid range.
Obviously a full technical explanation of correct ignition timing would be very complicated. The best
way to arrive at a suitable ignition curve for your engine is to use the Ignition Timing Factors Chart
as a guide and compare it to the Advance Graphs in Figure 4 until a suitable curve is found. When
selecting your advance curve, use detonation (engine ping) as an indicator of too much advance,
and a decrease in power as an indicator of too little advance.
TIPS ON SELECTING AN ADVANCE CURVE
Use as much initial advance as possible without encountering excessive starter load.
Start the centrifugal advance just above the idle rpm.
The starting point of the centrifugal advance curve is controlled by the installed length and
tension of the spring.
How quickly the centrifugal advance (slope) comes in is controlled by the spring stiffness. The
stiffer the spring, the slower the advance curve.
The amount of advance is controlled by the advance bushing. The bigger the bushing, the
smaller the amount of advance.
CENTRIFUGAL ADVANCE CURVE
SELECTING THE ADVANCE SPRINGS
The rate, or how quick the advance comes in is determined by the type of springs which are installed
on the distributor. The MSD distributors are equipped with two Heavy Silver springs installed. These
will give you the slowest advance curve possible (Figure 2). The parts kit contains two additional sets
of springs which can be used to match the advance curve to your particular application. Refer to the
Spring Combination Chart (Figure 3) for combinations that can be achieved.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3
MS D WWW. MS D P E R F O R MA NC E . C O M ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
To change the springs, remove the cap and rotor and use needlenose pliers to remove the springs.
Be sure the new springs seat in the groove on the pin.
RED
RED
RED
SILVER
GREEN
BLUE
PURPLE
BLACK
SILVER
GREEN
BLUE
PURPLE
BLACK
SILVER
GREEN
BLUE
PURPLE
BLACK
SILVER
GREEN
BLUE
PURPLE
BLACK
SILVER
GREEN
BLUE
PURPLE
BLACK
SILVER
GREEN
BLUE
PURPLE
BLACK
RED
RED
RED
ADVANCED
STOP BUSHING
ADVANCED
STOP BUSHING
ADVANCED
STOP BUSHING
ADVANCED
STOP BUSHING
ADVANCED
STOP BUSHING
ADVANCED
STOP BUSHING
Figure 2 The Factory Equipped Curve.
Timing Curve From Factory
Figure 3 Spring Combination Chart.
SPRING COMBINATION RATE OF ADVANCE FIGURE 4
2- Heavy Silver SLOWEST A
1- Heavy Silver B
1- Light Blue
1-Heavy Silver C
1-Light Silver
2- Light Blue D
1- Light Silver E
1- Light Blue
2- Light Silver FASTEST F
Figure 4 Advance Curves.
4 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
MS D WWW. MS D P E R F O R MA NC E . C O M ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
Figure 7 Removing the Retaining Sleeve.
Figure 8 Locking Out the Centrifugal Advance.
SELECTING THE ADVANCE STOP
BUSHING
Five different advance stop bushings are supplied
in the distributor kit. The distributor comes with a
Blue (21) bushing already installed. If a different
amount of centrifugal advance is desired, follow the
next procedure to change the bushings. The chart
in Figure 5 gives the size and approximate degrees
for the corresponding bushings.

CHANGING THE ADVANCE STOP
BUSHINGS

1. Remove the distributor cap and rotor.
2. Remove the locknut and washer on the bottom
of the advance assembly (Figure 6).
3. Remove the bushing and install the new one.
Install the washer and locknut.
LOCKING OUT THE CENTRIFUGAL
ADVANCE
1. Remove the cap and rotor.
2. Remove t he advance spri ngs, wei ght s
and the advance stop bushing from the
advance assembly.
3. Remove the roll-pin from the shaft and slide the
retaining sleeve down (Figure 7).
4. Slide the shaft two inches out of the housing.
5. Rot at e t he shaf t 180 and i nser t t he
advance stop bushing pin into the small
hole on the advance plate (Figure 8).
6. I nst al l t he l ocknut and washer t o t he
advance stop bushing pin.
7. Install the retaining sleeve and roll-pin.
Figure 6 Changing the Advance Stop Bushing.
Figure 5 Advance Stop Bushing Chart.
BUSHING SIZE APPROXIMATE
CRANKSHAFT
DEGREES
Red-Smallest 28
Silver 25
Green 23
Blue 21
Purple 19
Black-Largest 18
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 5
MS D WWW. MS D P E R F O R MA NC E . C O M ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
INSTALLING THE DISTRIBUTOR
Figure 9 Marking the Rotor Location.
1. Remove the existing distributor cap without
disconnecting any of the spark plug wires.
2. With the cap off, crank the engine until the
rotor is aimed at a xed point on the engine.
Note this position by making a mark (Figure
9).
3. Place the distributor cap back on and
note which plug wire the rotor is pointing
to. MARK THE SPARK PLUG WIRES and
remove the distributor cap.
4. Disconnect the wiring from the distributor.
5. Loosen the distributor hold-down clamp,
slide the clamp out of the way and lift the
distributor out of the engine.
6. Install the supplied O-ring seal in the groove
on the distributor land. Apply a thin layer
of oil to the housing O-ring.
7. Install the distributor making sure that the
rotor comes to rest pointing at the xed
mark. If the distributor will not fully seat with
the rotor pointing to the marked position,
you may need to rotate the oil pump shaft
until the rotor lines up and the distributor
fully seats.
8. Position and tighten the hold-down clamp onto the distributor.
9. Install the rotor and distributor cap. It is recommended to use a drop of Blue Loctite on the distributor
cap hold down bolts.
10. Install the spark plug wires from the old cap one at a time to ensure correct location.
11. Connect the supplied wiring harness to the distributor. Route the wires to their connections as
shown in Figure 10.
12. See below how to set the rev limiter and connect the tachometer.
TACHOMETER INFORMATION
The MSD Ready-to-Run has a Gray wire that provides a 12 volt square wave, 20 duty cycle tachometer
signal that will trigger most tachometers. It is recommended to connect this lead to your tachs trigger
input wire and check its operation. Note that the rpm limiter is extremely accurate and due to the
variety of tachometers available, there may be differences in the displayed rpm.
6 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
MS D WWW. MS D P E R F O R MA NC E . C O M ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
Figure 10 Wiring the Ready-to-Run Chrysler Distributor.
GRAY TO
TACH INPUT
GRAY TO
TACH INPUT
Figure 11 Connecting an MSD Ignition Control.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 7
MS D WWW. MS D P E R F O R MA NC E . C O M ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
PROGRAMMING THE REV LIMIT
A tachometer is required to set the rev limit. The limit is programmed
by running the engine at half the desired rpm, then momentarily
grounding the Gray tach output wire from the MSD. A Gray jumper
wire is supplied to connect to the tach with another tee-splice
coming off to use for programming. A switch may also be installed
to ease adjustments of the limiter (Figure 12). The default rpm limit is
10,000 rpm and the limit is adjustable from 2,000 - over 10,000 rpm..
1. Start the engine and bring the rpm to half the desired rev limit
(for a 6,000 rpm limit, raise and hold the rpm to 3,000).
2. While holding the rpm steady, short the Gray tach wire to ground
for approximately one second. Note that the tach will go to zero
while grounded.
3. The tach will now display the programmed rev limit amount
for two seconds. If this value does not register on the tach, repeat the procedure and try a different
ground source.
The MSD Ready-to-Run Distributor has an optional built in Rev Limiter Verication feature. When activated,
it will display the rev limit setting at key-on. This feature is not activated from the factory. To enable this
feature, follow the procedure below.
Note: It is important to note that this feature should not be used with EFI systems. When activated, an rpm
signal is sent to the tachometer. With an aftermarket EFI system, this could activate the injectors
causing a ooding situation.
ENABLE REV LIMIT VERIFICATION
1. With the ignition switch in the off position, ground the Gray tach output wire.
2. With the Gray wire connected to ground, turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
3. Hold the Gray tach output wire to ground for seven seconds. (AT LEAST ve seconds.)
4. Release the wire from ground before ten seconds have passed.
5. To conrm the process has worked, cycle turn the key On. The tachometer should sweep to the rpm
limit set on the ignition.
To deactivate the verication feature, repeat the process.
TO
TACH
OPTIONAL
PROGRAMMING
SWITCH
JUMPER GRAY
Figure 12 Setting the Rev Limiter.
VACUUM ADVANCE
Your distributor is equipped with an optional
vacuum advance canister. Vacuum advance
is generally used to improve cruising
economy and driveability, depending on
the application.
The chart in Figure 13 shows the relationship
between engine vacuum and the amount of
ignition timing advance.
To connect the vacuum advance, connect a
vacuum hose from the canister to a ported
vacuum source on the carburetor or throttle
body. Ported vaccum sources are located
above the throttle plates so there will not be
an excessive amount of timing advance at
idle and lower engine speeds.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
I
n
c
h
e
s

o
f

V
a
c
u
u
m
Degrees of Advance
OE Non Adjustable Vac. Adv. 1808
Figure 13 Vacuum Advance and Timing Chart.
Limited Warranty
MSD warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship under its intended normal use*, when properly installed
and purchased from an authorized MSD dealer, for a period of one year from the date of the original purchase. This warranty is void for any
products purchased through auction websites. If found to be defective as mentioned above, it will be repaired or replaced at the option
of MSD. Any item that is covered under this warranty will be returned free of charge using Ground shipping methods.
This shall constitute the sole remedy of the purchaser and the sole liability of MSD. To the extent permitted by law, the foregoing is
exclusive and in lieu of all other warranties or representation whether expressed or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability
or tness. In no event shall MSD or its suppliers be liable for special or consequential damages.
*Intended normal use means that this item is being used as was originally intended and for the original application as sold by MSD.
Any modications to this item or if it is used on an application other than what MSD markets the product, the warranty will be void. It is the
sole responsibility of the customer to determine that this item will work for the application they are intending. MSD will accept no liability
for custom applications.
Service
In case of malfunction, this MSD component will be repaired free of charge according to the terms of the warranty. When returning
MSD components for warranty service, Proof of Purchase must be supplied for verication. After the warranty period has expired, repair
service is based on a minimum and maximum fee.
All returns must have a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number issued to them before
bei ng ret urned. To obt ai n an RMA number pl ease cont act MSD Cust omer Servi ce at 1 (888) MSD-7859
or visit our website at www.msdperformance.com/rma to automatically obtain a number and shipping information.
When returning the unit for repair, leave all wires at the length in which you have them installed. Be sure to include a detailed account
of any problems experienced, and what components and accessories are installed on the vehicle. The repaired unit will be returned as
soon as possible using Ground shipping methods (ground shipping is covered by warranty). For more information, call MSD at (915)
855-7123. MSD technicians are available from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (mountain time).
MS D WWW. MS D P E R F O R MA NC E . C O M ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
2014 MSD LLC
FRM30249 Revised 03/14 Printed in U.S.A.
Figure 15 Checking Installation of the Lockout Plate.
Figure 14 Removing the Vacuum Canister.
RELUCTOR
PADDLES
MAG PICK-UP
PLATE
CANISTER
SCREWS
SNAP
RING
OPTIONAL VACUUM ADVANCE LOCKOUT
If you do not want to use the vacuum advance canister of the
MSD Distributor, MSD has supplied the distributor with a lockout
mechanism. The Lockout bolts in the position of the vacuum
canister and will hold the pickup assembly rmly in place. The
installation is easiest with the distributor out of the engine.
1. Remove the two Allen head screws that hold the advance
canister (Figure 14).
2. Remove the snap ring that holds the magnetic pickup assembly
in place. This is easy to do with a set of snap ring pliers by
straddling one of the reluctor paddles.
3. Gently lift up on the mag pickup plate and slide the vacuum
canister out.
4. Install the Lockout Plate in place of the canister. Install the two
retaining screws.
5. Install the supplied screw and washer through the Lockout and
tighten. It is important to make sure the pickup plate is
parallel with the housing of the distributor (Figure 15). If
it is cocked or slanted, the paddles of the reluctor may
contact the pickup. Check the clearance by rotating the
distributor shaft. If necessary, use the supplied shims
under the Lockout hold-down to correctly position the
pickup plate.
Note: If no shims were required, use one beneath the
washer of the Lock-Out Hold Down Screw.
6. After checking the reluctor to pickup clearance, tighten
the Lockout retaining screws and install the snap ring.
7. Install the distributor, rotor and cap. Check the timing
when complete.
Note: Do not forget to plug the original vacuum advance
hose.